¶ Checking Moisture Levels with the Moisture Meter
The purpose of checking the moisture level in wood is to make sure that the water content of the wood is appropriate for woodworking as well as ensuring that it won't activate the SawStop in the table saws.
¶ Skills/Class Required
A membership or day pass is required to access the Wood Shop. The Shop Safety Class Wood 1: Shop Safety is required before operating any tools in the Wood Shop.
¶ Before you Begin
Safety Check:
Sturdy, close-toed shoes must be worn at all times.
For more information on shop safety visit Wood Shop under "Safety."
¶ Time to complete
- Less than 5 minutes
¶ Tools Required
- moisture meter, located at the front in the hand tools area between the entry doors and the dust collection closet doors.
OR
- moisture meter, located on the back wall behind the jointer.
¶ Materials Required
- material to measure
¶ Instructions
The best moisture content for woodworking is between 6% and 9%. The SawStop table saws trigger at 14%. If you are planning on using the table saws, it is best to be below 10% and to measure multiple locations on the wood to ensure that it does not trigger the SawStop.
- Turn the meter on.
- Pop the cap off to expose the prongs.
- Jam the prongs into the wood as far as they'll go.
The prongs will leave holes in the wood. Probe locations that won't damage the pretty face of the material.
- Measure several locations.
Moisture content may vary across a piece of wood, especially found wood. It is better to find high moisture content areas with the meter than the SawStop.
- If there is too much moisture, the wood must be let to dry for several days to weeks.
¶ For example
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| For example, this approximately 1 foot by 5 inch diameter section of tree ranges from 8.5% to 33.7% moisture content depending on where it's measured. While this could be cut with tools such as the band saw, it very likely would activate the SawStop. |